22 Oct Cape Town’s Best Farmers Markets 

We can all admit that Cape Town is the culinary capital of South Africa. The Mother City is brimming with restaurants that specialise in traditional crêpes and galettes, there are bars that only offer bone broth, and diners with an offering of over 200 milkshakes. If you have a craving for it, rest assured, there is an eatery serving it.

With so much land spanning across the Western Cape, agronomists can grow a bag of the freshest produce to supply these creative coffee shops, canteens and cafeterias. Once a week, however, they cut out the middleman – so to speak – and offer up their fair to the average Joe and Jongikhaya who want to stock their pantries with locally sourced and ethically grown food. Of all the farmer’s markets I’ve been to, these are my pick of the best in the Western Cape.

BLAAUWKLIPPEN FAMILY MARKET, STELLENBOSCH

Cape Wine Country is truly a sight to behold. Rolling hills of grapevines budding with bulbs that will soon produce some of your favourite varietals whether it be Savignon Blanc, Shiraz, Merlot or Chardonnay. Stellenbosch is where you can spend a lazy Sunday, lounging under a wild fig tree at this family-friendly market.

Olives, oils, jams and other delicious preserves are prepared weekly by farmers and artisans in the area. I’ve been known to pop past Stonehill’s stall for a few free samples, while quenching my thirst on Piroschka’s iced tea on particularly hot days.

BLUE BIRD GARAGE FOOD & GOODS MARKET, MUIZENBERG

In 2016, I tasted my very first cotton cheesecake at this unassuming market. It was a culinary AHA moment. Since then, every Friday, I hazard the unforgiving M3 traffic from Cape Town to Muizenburg to enjoy the weekly offering.

There is a great deal of already prepared food for you to purchase and enjoy round the community tables they set up on the inside an old postal plane hangar. Eco warriors will particularly enjoy the fresh bread, fruits and vegetables that you can purchase from local subsistent producers who have a surplus from their own gardens.

If the weekly traffic getting into Muizenberg doesn’t sound appealing to you, the market runs on the first Sunday of every month too.

BOSCHENDAL NIGHT MARKET, PNIEL

How does a glass of Boschendal MCC at the end of a long week sound? Pair that with a few freshly caught oysters, or a leg of free range chicken with organic coleslaw and you have yourself a wonderful Friday night.

The Werf plays home to one of Franschhoek’s popular night market. Farmers, winemakers and artisans in the area flock to this well-attended market to sell their goods to visitors. You can certainly bring your children along. They’ll be entertained at the Tree House Playground where they can enjoy bottomless popcorn while watching a film at the outdoor cinema while you shop and nosh to your heart’s delight.

EARTH FAIR MARKET, TOKAI

Who says all the fun needs to happen over the weekend, and that it’s only reserved for those who live outside the city centre? Every Thursday St George’s Market is flooded by local artisans and farmers who offer inner-city professionals a palette cleanser from the surrounding food offerings.

While the market is mostly hot foods, you can purchase traditionally cured meat, CBD & hemp products and a few non-perishables from local producers. My cookie jar is packed with only the Gourmet Pantry’s baked goods that I order monthly, you can certainly negotiate with whoever mans the stall the week you go and get a few sweet treats for yourself. 

ORANJEZICHT CITY FARM MARKET, WATERFRONT

I really shouldn’t be biased, but this is my favourite market in all of the Western Cape – mainly because the sweet section is so extensive. My mouth is watering just thinking about the nutty brownies and the chocolate-covered nougat I nibble on every time I visit the market.

OCFM runs until 3pm on Saturday and 2pm on Tuesday. Work your way from the produce tent, packed with organic fruits, vegetables and meats, as well as breads made with flour substitutes, banting friendly preserves and condiments etc; to the tent with everything from breakfast burritos and Belgium waffles to bagels and Ethiopian injera. 

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